Pig Dinner: Saturday, April 17, 2010

SAVE THE DATE of Saturday, April 17, 2010!

Sigma Chapter's annual Norris Pig Dinner returns to the Sigma Chapter House at 20 West Ferncliff this coming year. After last year's successful 125th anniversary, we're looking for a smaller but dedicated group of Graduate Brothers to return to campus for a great weekend of Fiji Brotherhood!

Check back to this Blog for updates over the coming weeks and months!

Skip Buckley '80

Secretary, Sig Fiji Alumni Association

Perge!

Brothers Dedicate a Summer Saturday to Restore House & Grounds

On Saturday, June 20th, 12 Undergraduate and Graduate Brothers returned to Sigma Chapter to clean up the outside and inside of the Chapter House at 20 West Ferncliff! I'd like to thank the following:

UNDERGRADUATE BROTHERS
Alex Williams
Sam Stough
Joe Angle
Nate Dreyfuss
Kurt Meige

GRADUATE BROTHERS
Jack Reynard
Dick Rice
Dan Riggle
Rob Blakey
Doc Prescott
Marcus Hitt
Skip Buckley

We trimmed bushes, de-weeded areas, cleaned up trash inside and outside, and cleaned the Tenement bathroom, Tenement hallway, and laundry room. The outside looked great! Doc met with the rep from the company to replace the front windows, and we’ll expect replacement of windows to begin in late August. Kurt Meige and his father took measurements for a new gutter on the front porch, and they install it this coming Sunday. Marcus single-handedly cleaned out the drain in the parking lot, so it won’t flood again anytime soon. Rob single-handedly removed countless weeds in the alley, so we’re in better stead with our neighbors.

WE DECIDED THAT OUR NEXT CLEAN-UP SESSION WILL BE:

Saturday, August 15th

We’ll open the House for Brothers to move in on Friday, August 14th, so our clean-up session on Saturday, August 15th will enable us to re-trim hedges/bushes, de-weed, and get the House and grounds looking great as Brothers and parents move in that weekend. Plus, we hope we’ll get a LOT of help from Undergraduate Brothers returning to campus that day. Personally, I also REALLY like that many of our Graduate Brothers will be on site to meet parents as they move their sons into the House – always a GREAT thing for them to meet our Sig Fiji Alumni.

So, ANY Graduate Brother is welcome to join us on Saturday, August 15th! We want to get the House & Grounds looking GREAT for our returning Undergraduate Brothers and parents, AND for any prospective Rushees and parents who may be on campus that weekend.

Join us if you can, and check back to the Blog for updates, okay?

Fraternally,

Skip Buckley '80
Secretary, Sig Fiji Alumni Association

Perge!

125th Anniversary Pig Dinner a MAJOR Success!

Immediately above: A crowd of over 170 Graduate Brothers, Undergraduate Brothers, parents, and guests gather on April 18th on Wittenberg's campus for the 125th anniversary celebration.

2nd above: The Undergraduate Chapter presented a special engraving of the House to Sigma's Graduate Brothers. Left, James Hunter (Wittenberg '09) presents the engraving to Dave "Doc" Prescott (Wittenberg '77), president of the Sig Fiji Alumni Association.

Top, above: Wittenberg President Mark Erickson offered comments at the Pig Dinner, recognizing Sigma Chapter's longstanding Greek leadership role on campus.

UPDATED List of Pre-registered Attendees for 125th Anniversary Pig Dinner on Saturday!

The registrations keep coming in! I've added over 20 since my last post of a few days ago, so please check the list below to see who's coming and who's NOT. Write those Brothers NOT on the list and encourage them to attend, okay? We have 101 on the list! Adding to that about 60 or more Undergraduate Brothers and parents not listed below, we should have over 160 in attendance -- that's great!

Anyone who would still like to attend this weekend's festivities can pay the $60 on site, but PLEASE have them write me an e-mail message so we know to add them to our count -- my e-mail address is gabjr33@comcast.net

Here are the top classses by number of Graduate Brothers returning:

1974 - 10
1975 - 6
1977 - 6
1979 - 6
2005 - 6
1976 - 5
1969 - 4
1973 - 4
1981 - 4

Be sure to let me know of any errors or omissions. Here's the list:

Dick Binnig 1950
Paul Riehm 1951
Ted Budach* 1956
Donald Hauck 1956
Jock Arthur 1958
Richard Ross 1958
Dick Rice* 1960
Richard Keier* 1961
Jack Reynard 1961
Gil Belles* 1962
Kenneth Block 1962
David Rees 1962
G. David K. Hopper* 1963
Paul Lingle* 1963
David Moeller 1963
David Meyer 1964
Bill Steinbrink* 1964
Dave Baines* 1969
David Lundgren 1969
David Miller 1969
David Vlasak 1969
Austin Adams* 1970
Paul Liesem 1971
Richard Fowler* 1973
Patrick Hilliard 1973
Kevin Hopper 1973
Devin McConnell* 1973
Charley Geiger 1974
John Halley 1974
Craig Hunt 1974
David Johnson 1974
John Lavery 1974
Tom Metcalf 1974
Jeff Neupauer 1974
Jeffrey Smith 1974
Jim Tear 1974
Peter Welsh 1974
Robert Basile 1975
Jeff Ebsary 1975
John Hamilton 1975
James McCluskey 1975
Daniel Riggle* 1975
Robert Weible 1975
Brian Critchell 1976
Dave Honlod 1976
John Tafaro 1976
Todd Werstler 1976
Peter Woessner 1976
Carl Coburn* 1977
William Diehm 1977
David Miles 1977
Douglas Myser 1977
David Prescott 1977
Greg Sponseller* 1977
Pat Secaur 1978
Dave Davies* 1979
Gordon Geiger 1979
Scott McCune 1979
Kent Shaw 1979
Matt Warye 1979
Chris Wittoesch 1979
Roger Brown 1980
Skip Buckley** 1980
Terry Myser 1980
John Kramer* 1981
Scott Seipel 1981
Ric Simon 1981
Kirby Thompson 1981
John Gork 1984
Robert Blakey 1985
Mike Redinger 1986
John Bourne* 1988
Todd Gailar 1996
Edward Hendry* 2002
Cole Christensen 2003
Chris Farris 2003
Shawn Martin 2003
Kyle Bacon 2005
Lee Harrington 2005
Philip Heyde 2005
Marcus Hitt 2005
Matt Prescott 2005
Chris Vennefron* 2005
Cory Windle 2006
Stefan Diehm 2008
Mike Keough 2011
Dennis Bambach
Tim Christian
Deborah Colburn
Pat Jansen
Jack Jansen
Drew Keough
Kathy Keough
Pat Lingle*
Kevin McGraw
Jim Meige
Pam Meige
Mary Miles
Beth Myser
Nancy Prescott
Mark Winders

Note: Includes some parents (welcome!) And, remember, the asterisk (*) means that Brother donated at least $100 to the Sig Fiji Alumni Association. THANK YOU!

Fraternally,

Skip Buckley '80
Secretary, Sig Fiji Alumni Association

Perge!

Sigma Chapter's 125th Anniversary Pig Dinner is JUST DAYS AWAY! Are YOU Registered?

Our 2009 Pig Dinner, celebrating Phi Gamma Delta's 125 years on Wittenberg's campus, is just DAYS AWAY! Everything is set for a wonderful weekend on April 17 - 19, 2009.

Copied below is the complete list of those who have pre-registered as of April 10th. I count 85 Graduate Brothers and guests. Assuming the chapter delivers at least 48 or so, that's at least 133! Actually, I expect more to come in between now and next weekend, so I think we'll top 150. This will be the SECOND LARGEST GATHERING of Sig Fijis in 125 years! (The 100th anniversary in 1984 drew about 400 Brothers and guests.)

There is still time to register! At this point, just send me an e-mail message (gabjr33@comcast.net) and you can pay the $60 at the door, okay? We need an accurate count, so PLEASE pre-register.

So, look over the list below. If your name is NOT on it and you plan to attend, please write me ASAP. See who's coming -- see who's NOT, and contact Brothers from your years in the chapter house and encourage them to join us.

Here's the list...

Dick Binnig 1950
Paul Riehm 1951
Ted Budach* 1956
Donald Hauck 1956
Ted Marty 1957
Jock Arthur 1958
Richard Ross 1958
Jon Joyce 1959
Dick Rice* 1960
Richard Keier* 1961
Jack Reynard 1961
Gil Belles* 1962
Kenneth Block 1962
David Rees 1962
G. David K. Hopper* 1963
Paul Lingle* 1963
David Moeller 1963
David Meyer 1964
Bill Steinbrink* 1964
Dave Baines* 1969
David Lundgren 1969
David Miller 1969
Robert Rohrbaugh 1969
Richard Fowler* 1973
Kevin Hopper 1973
Devin McConnell* 1973
Charley Geiger 1974
John Halley 1974
Craig Hunt 1974
David Johnson 1974
John Lavery 1974
Tom Metcalf 1974
Jeff Neupauer 1974
Jeffrey Smith 1974
Jim Tear 1974
Peter Welsh 1974
Robert Basile 1975
Jeff Ebsary 1975
John Hamilton 1975
James McCluskey 1975
Daniel Riggle* 1975
Robert Weible 1975
Brian Critchell 1976
Dave Honlod 1976
John Tafaro 1976
Todd Werstler 1976
Carl Coburn* 1977
William Diehm 1977
David Miles 1977
Douglas Myser 1977
David Prescott 1977
Greg Sponseller* 1977
Scott McCune 1979
Matt Warye 1979
Roger Brown 1980
Skip Buckley** 1980
Terry Myser 1980
John Kramer* 1981
Scott Seipel 1981
Ric Simon 1981
Kirby Thompson 1981
John Gork 1984
Robert Blakey 1985
Mike Redinger 1986
John Bourne* 1988
Todd Gailar 1996
Edward Hendry* 2002
Chris Farris 2003
Kyle Bacon 2005
Lee Harrington 2005
Philip Heyde 2005
Marcus Hitt 2005
Matt Prescott 2005
Chris Vennefron* 2005
Cory Windle 2006
Stefan Diehm 2008
Mike Keough 2011
Tim Christian
Deborah Colburn
Pat Jansen
Jack Jansen
Drew Keough
Kathy Keough
Pat Lingle
Kevin McGraw
Mary Miles
Beth Myser
Nancy Prescott
Mark Winders

(Note: The asterisk [*] by some names indicates they also donated at least $100 to the Sig Fiji Alumni Association in 2009, and a double-asterisk [**] indicates a donation of $500 or more. I will post a complete list of ALL SFAA donors in a few days, and we'll have a list posted at the chapter house during Pig Dinner weekend.)

Don't forget, here's the schedule for the weekend:

Friday, April 17th
6:00 pm - Informal get-together at Casey’s (formerly Yannucci’s, 2205 Park Rd., Springfield)
All Day - Open House at the Chapter!

Saturday, April 18th
10:00 am - Annual Meeting of the Sig Fiji Alumni Association Board of Trustees(All Graduate Brothers are welcome to attend!)
12:00 pm - Buffet Luncheon – Chapter House
6:00 pm - Fellowship Cocktail Hour/Cash Bar: HPER Center, Wittenberg Campus
7:00 pm - 125th Anniversary Norris Pig Dinner: HPER Center, Wittenberg Campus
All Day - Open House at the Chapter!

Sunday, April 19th
12:00 pm - Third Annual “Fiji Event for a Cure” Charity Golf Tournament

REMINDER: The Sigma Chapter of Phi Gamma Delta is an alcohol-free chapter house, which means that NO alcohol may be brought onto the chapter house or grounds. PLEASE comply with this rule and support our Undergraduate Brothers' compliance! (Thank you!)

Join us!

Skip Buckley '80
Secretary, Sig Fiji Alumni Association

Perge!

25th Anniversary of J.R. Gork's Sketch of 20 West Ferncliff

For those of you "regular" readers of this Blog -- okay, both of you! -- you'll notice a NEW image to the left! I replaced the photo that was there with J.R. Gork's famous sketch, and included it above.

As we prepare to celebrate Sigma Chapter's 125th anniversary on the campus of Wittenberg University on April 17 - 19, 2009, we also should recognize the contributions of the LAST 25 years. I am currently writing the history of Sigma Chapter from 1984 - 2009, and I plan to have the review available by the Pig Dinner on April 18th.

Graduate Brother J.R. Gork (Sigma '84) is a skilled artist who currently works for Northwestern Mutual. When he was a senior in 1984 and living in the chapter house, during Sigma's 100th anniversary, he sketched the Fiji House at 20 West Ferncliff. You see it above.

For the last 25 years, JR has donated reprints of his famous sketch to the Sig Fiji Alumni Association, and we have handed them out every year since then to every graduating Sigma senior Brother at the Pig Dinner. By now, hundreds have been given JR's sketch, and I assume nearly all of them -- like me -- have that beautiful sketch framed and hanging in our house or apartment.

Sigma Chapter has been blessed with scores of talented artists over the years, but JR's sketch has gained infamy. His legacy at Sigma Chapter will long be remembered, as will his drawing that reminds all of us who lived there of the times we spent as Sig Fijis.

JR will be attending the 125th Anniversary this April. So, if you will be there, find JR and personally thank him for his lasting contribution, okay? He's pretty humble about what he's done, but I know he'll appreciate your thanks.

THANK YOU, JR!

Skip Buckley '80
Perge!

Sigma Chapter..."And The Rest of the Story"

Remember Paul Harvey? (No, he wasn't a Fiji.) He died last week, after a 50-year-plus career on the radio.

Among Paul Harvey's signature commentaries was his regular "And the rest of the story..." anecdotes. He would begin by citing some well-known fact about someone or some thing, and then give some entertaining, riveting little-known background passage that enlightened the listener.

Recently, I received the following excerpt from an e-mail message from Sigma Graduate Brother Lowell Hedlund (1978): "Skip, your kind words and pleasant memories are what I treasure most about PGD... Proud to be a Fiji!"

And now, the rest of the story...

I wrote this to Lowell the night before: "Honestly, although I’ve been a member of PGD for over 30 years, it’s still really hard NOT to see your name and think of you up at the Treasurer’s Desk in the House! I’ve worked with over 30 chapter treasurers during that time, but I (swear) I can still see you up at the desk. Night after night… You were a wonderful role model for me when I was an undergraduate, and I only have fond memories of the key role you played in Sigma Chapter in the late 1970’s."

Lowell and his fellow Brothers were an important reason why I pledged Sigma Chapter back in 1977. They were impressive, studied hard (Lowell was pre-law, which is what I wanted to do), and were leaders in the chapter and on campus. They seemed different from the other fraternity men I met in the other houses at Wittenberg. They had class...

As we approach our 125th anniversary Pig Dinner celebration in a few weeks, I find myself recalling historical anecdotes from my 32-year affiliation with the Sigma Chapter of Phi Gamma Delta at Wittenberg. Not just of the 3-1/2 years I spent in Springfield as a Fiji, but of the literally thousands of Sigma Brothers I've met and come to know as an advisor since I graduated in 1980. Impressive young men, dedicated and ambitious, and with one distinction from the others -- they had class.

125 years' of Sigma Chapter is impressive, but I'm intrigued by what lies ahead for our fraternity's future. It's the next 125 years -- "the rest of the story" -- that drives my passion to do everything we can to ensure that tomorrow's Sig Fijis have the same opportunities we had to grow, learn, develop, and mature under Phi Gamma Delta's guidance and principles.

Paul Harvey would have been impressed with Sigma Chapter, and its storied and classy history. I know I am...

Fraternally,

Skip Buckley '80

Sigma Chapter Historian Joe Angle Prepares for the 125th Anniversary Celebration!

Here is a post from Joe Angle (Sigma '11), current Sigma Chapter Historian:

My name is Joe Angle and I am Sigma Chapter's newest Historian. My blog is the first in a series which will contain blogs from each of Sigma Chapter's new cabinet members expressing our experience thus far as executive members of Sigma Chapter. I must say I am very excited to be a part of this chapter's cabinet after my initiation last spring. This has been a great opportunity for me to get strongly involved in Phi Gamma Delta and make the most of my undergraduate experience at Sigma Chapter.

Since my installation in December, I have already experienced a wide variety of challenges ranging from risk management violations to preparing the house to look its best for the Sigma's upcoming 125th Anniversary. One thing I immediately realized was that the actual "duties" of my position are by no means the hardest part of the job but rather the managerial duties and increased responsibility have claimed much more of my time and attention. As the chapter Historian, my position does not require as much from me on a daily basis unlike that of the chapter President. I have taken it upon myself to fill this void in several ways. Basically, I look to see where something could be changed or improved in hopes of making Sigma Chapter better that it was when I joined. For example, one of the first things I did, though very miniscule, was to create name labels for the mailboxes which solved the problem of mail just being thrown on the tables in the back lounge. Another way in which I had hoped to better the fraternity was to seek out a philanthropy event for the American Red Cross. This idea came about when active brother and chapter Treasurer Nate Dreyfuss informed me of the international fraternity's designation of the Red Cross as Phi Gamma Delta's international philanthropy. I met with Springfield's Red Cross branch manager Mike Larson and asked him what we could do to benefit the organization. He explained to me that there was a dodge ball tournament already set up to occur on Wittenberg's campus which even involved the Springfield community. He referred me to Wittenberg's Greek Life director Casey Stevens for more information. With her approval and the generous support of the brothers in the house, we are now a co-sponsor of this event which is to be held at the end of March. Not only will this benefit the Red Cross by hopefully raising over $1000 in philanthropy donations but it also represents Fiji well in both the Wittenberg community as well as the Springfield community. The most current and expansive challenge I have undertaken is leading and overseeing house improvements for the 125th Anniversary. With the help of our newly created "house improvement committee" and several of the graduate brothers, I am attempting to make 20 West look its best for this benchmark date. Broken doors must be fixed, walls need to be painted and re-plastered, the carpets need to be cleaned and much more. With my acceptance of this duty, it is safe to say that I have found myself leading in ways that stray far from the documented duties of the chapter Historian but I believe initiative like this is exactly what Sigma Chapter needs to prosper and survive for another 125 years.

Overall, my experience as a chapter officer has instilled much pride into me and I look forward to what the rest of my term has to offer but most importantly I am always looking for what I can offer the brothers of this chapter whether it be through physical service, advice or valuable connections. This is one of the most rewarding experiences in my life thus far and I am truly thankful to be allowed this opportunity. Proud.

You can reach Joe at s11.jangle@wittenberg.edu

Sigma Chapter Takes Eight Pledges!

CONGRATULATIONS to our Undergraduate Brothers from Sigma Chapter at Wittenberg University for taking 8 Pledges in Winter Rush!

Overall numbers were down for all of Wittenberg's fraternities, but we're proud of our Brothers for taking eight excellent men to continue Sigma's proud legacy at 20 West Ferncliff!

Remember...our 125th Annniversary Celebration is on April 17-19, 2009! Check back here for updates!

Skip Buckley '80